Related Stories

Facebook launched. Funk singer Rick James died. Rockers Creed disbanded for the first time, perhaps thankfully. The Red Sox ended the Curse of the Bambino. Shrek 2 was raking it in at the box office.

These are a few things that took place in 2004. The Maple Leafs, as most not living under a rock are aware, were a playoff team then, but haven’t been a playoff team since.

Times eventually change. It might not have come quickly, but the team that never makes the playoffs is about to make the playoffs.

“I think some excitement is already starting to build,” said Leafs forward Nazem Kadri, who was 14 when Eddie the Eagle, Mats Sundin and Co. last took the Leafs into the post-season following a 103-point campaign. “But by no means is our job finished.”

Kadri understands just how big of a playoff appetite this market has worked up.

“It would be awesome. Our fans have been patient and it’s about time we give them something to cheer for,” Kadri said following his team’s morning skate. “

While the Leafs have steered themselves in a winning direction this season and could potentially gain home ice in the playoffs, head coach Randy Carlyle is living in the present.

“That’s our team focus — to get our team playing back to where we’re capable of playing, because the last six periods for us are not what we would say we’d be proud of,” Carlyle said prior to last night’s game. “All the other stuff that gives you guys lots to talk about is something that we don’t want to talk about as a coaching staff.”

HAMMER TIME

Ryan Hamilton will continue to wear blue and white. That’s all he knows.

The Marlies captain was called up to the big club for a second time this season in late March and it appears he’s going to stick around.

Hamilton, who has been with the Leafs for the past 14 games, collecting two assists while being used sparingly, said he is unaware if he would be required to clear waivers in order to be sent back down to the AHL club.

The Marlies’ and Maple Leafs’ playoff runs would coincide, but Hamilton, who led his team to a Calder Cup appearance last season, is focusing on his time with the Leafs.

“I feel fortunate for this opportunity and I’m trying to make the most of it,” said Hamilton, who leads all Marlies with 30 goals and 48 points this season. “Just trying to give my best effort every day and help the team out in any way I can.”

HOT AND COLD

Forwards Clarke MacArthur and Matt Frattin have run hot and cold all season. Lately, they’ve been cold, so it came as no surprise when the former joined the latter as a healthy scratch on Tuesday in Washington.

MacArthur had just one goal in his past 13 games, while Frattin has a single assist in the same stretch of games while being scratched from the lineup four times throughout April.

MacArthur drew back into the lineup last night, while Frattin sat out again.

“It’s not any different than the rest of our team. We’ve got to have that workmanlike attitude shift in, shift out, and, when the opportunity presents itself, to be physical,” Carlyle said following the morning skate. “For those two individuals, I don’t think much was happening over a stretch of games, now we’ll see their response.”

JOHNNY ON THE SPOT

There was no shortage of praise being heaped on Islanders forward and GTA native John Tavares prior to last night’s game.

The former first overall draft pick came into the game with a team-leading 24 goals and 42 assists.

“He has taken on the responsibility that comes with being where he was chosen in the draft,” Carlyle said. “He’s developing into that player and anybody that watches their hockey club, you see it night in, night out. He doesn’t take many nights off, if he takes any.”

Kadri sees a bit of himself in Tavares, his former Ontario Hockey League opponent.

“Like myself, he has also proven a lot of doubters wrong. Not many people thought he could be that superstar-calibre in the NHL,” Kadri said. “I always believed in him and I know he believed in himself.”

LOOSE LEAFS

Toronto was without the services of Carl Gunnarsson for a third consecutive game as he deals with a lower-body injury, but coach Carlyle said it’s possible the defenceman could return to the lineup on Saturday against the Senators ... Last night was Reimer’s 14th start in the team’s last 15 games ... The Islanders came into last night having won nine of their last 12 games, putting them on the verge of reaching the playoffs for the first time since 2007.